Visit La Jolla California

La Jolla

There is a reason La Jolla, California is known as The Jewel of America’s Finest City!

With a rich history steeped in the fantastical tales of Dr. Seuss and old Hollywood, our small coastal town is one of the most unique in all of San Diego County.

Ideally situated on a seven-mile stretch along the coast, there is hardly a more picturesque location than La Jolla in San Diego. Incredible beaches, fine dining, posh boutiques, and sweeping panoramic ocean views combine to make a dynamic community and one of the most popular places to go in San Diego.

Downtown La Jolla, or as the locals call it, “The Village,” is a walkable urban area packed with shops, museums, and art galleries — making it one of the best places to visit in San Diego.

The simple beauty of La Jolla’s natural landscape is one of its main attractions, but there are countless other outdoor adventures and things to do on your San Diego vacation — whether you’re spending the day here or a few weeks.

Visiting La Jolla

If you look up the word “breathtaking” in the dictionary, there ought to be a picture of La Jolla. San Diego is filled with many beautiful places, but if you only have time to visit one neighborhood, most people would tell you to head straight to La Jolla Cove. 

Want to see the Pacific Ocean? You can do so from any number of places throughout San Diego County, but the coastline is quite possibly the most awe-inspiring (and with its vast array of wildlife on display, educational) along Coast Boulevard in La Jolla. Want to eat world-class food? The restaurants on Prospect Street, Girard Avenue, Fay Avenue, and surrounding streets are among the best in Southern California. Want to shop ‘til you drop? From the national retail stores of the Westfield UTC mall to the world-class boutiques of La Jolla Village, we have it all. Want to simply walk around outside? La Jolla is incredibly pedestrian-friendly.

Experience La Jolla as a Local

In La Jolla, California, we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at local restaurants. Whether that’s fresh seafood from the Pacific, classic or new American fare. Brunch near the ocean on weekend mornings. California cuisine, pub food, fine steaks, or the best tacos in town, you can find it in La Jolla. In fact, San Diego founded Jack In The Box has La Jolla’s only fast food restaurant and by local decree, it doesn’t even have a drive thru, nowhere around here does because life is so much better when you live in slow motion.  

We also get outside every chance we get. We snorkel in the cove for daily exercise; surf world-famous breaks like La Jolla Shores, Black’s Beach, or the super-competitive Windansea break; hike the trails of Torrey Pines State Reserve; ride road bikes along the coast and mountain bikes on trails; practice yoga on rooftops, in studios, and in the park by the sea; spread out a beach blanket and zen out to the sound of the waves; and take long walks with our loved ones after meals. We buy groceries at our favorite grocery stores and shop at our favorite boutiques without leaving the neighborhood.

La Jolla is a self-contained ecosystem. Sure, we leave the neighborhood all the time, but we don’t have to if we don’t want to.

Is La Jolla Expensive?

Alicia Keys spent over $20 million on her house in La Jolla, but you don’t have to be rich to have a great time here. In fact, you can play in La Jolla without spending a dime, if that’s what you really want to do. Street parking is free in many places, although in peak season it may take a little luck and good timing to find a spot. Also, the San Diego MTS bus stops at a few places in La Jolla. There’s no fee for swimming, walking around, going to the beach, or watching the stunning displays of seals, sea lions, and shorebirds around the cove. You don’t have to break the bank in our local restaurant scene, either; there are options for nearly every budget. 

But if you enjoy luxurious hotels, resorts, spas, restaurants, and shopping, with all the finest amenities, La Jolla can provide those by the dozens. Once a small coastal getaway for the rich to build vacation homes our stunning area grew and grew. Now fabulous hotels and vacation rentals let anyone experience lavish accommodations steps from the sand near Mitt Romney or Bill Gates’ homes. There’s also never ending views from mansions and resorts on the cliffs quite like the ones billionaire mogul Ron Berkle or current NBA star Tobias Harris enjoy each morning. 

Is La Jolla Safe?

We like to think so! La Jolla tourism is a major part of the local economy, and a high crime rate would keep people from visiting. La Jolla is a place where people bring their families to enjoy the coastal California lifestyle, walk around at all hours of day or night, and even park expensive cars on the street. 

Because there is no place on earth that is completely crime-free, we simply recommend that visitors and locals alike follow best practices for safety. That means locking your doors, not leaving valuables in plain sight, and not leaving children unattended. At the beach and in natural areas, listen to the lifeguards and pay attention to posted signs. Follow these best practices for safety, and we think you’ll have the time of your life.

La Jolla in San Diego

With modern transportation and technology, you can visit—or live—almost anywhere in the world. Why would you choose to visit or live in La Jolla in San Diego? We hope you’ll discover the reasons why on the pages of our website. 

And then we hope we’ll see you here soon, whether we’re bumping elbows at The Taco Stand, seated on the same terrace at George’s, or helping you take an Instagram photo at the Children’s Pool Beach!